The WHO increased tracking of a new COVID variant called 'mu'

Why it matters: Speaking of pandemic-related research ... I hope scientists around the world can break down any language barriers between them ASAP because another COVID variant is on the rise. The science behind these variants is all Greek to me, so I asked Melissa Turner, SmartBrief's resident health care guru, what the spread of "mu" means:

"Many viruses mutate like crazy, and given how widespread this virus is, it's no surprise that variants are continually emerging. This is exactly why we need to get a handle on the pandemic ASAP and vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate -- so the virus has fewer chances to keep mutating. Mutations can be good, benign or bad. The more that emerge, the greater the chances that the virus will land on any/all of those, most worryingly a bad one."

Full Story: CNBC (9/1)